Guide Me Home to North Jersey

I will be writing blogs that will cover a large swath of New Jersey; destinations all within an hour’s drive from Far Hills. My goal is to provide interesting dining experiences and tips on daily trips with an eye on good value. We often overlook wonderful local treasures simply because they are close to home.

One such place is the charming hamlet of Mountainville that is tucked away in Tewksbury Township and is characterized by historic stone houses and farm properties large and small. Bordered by Cokesbury village to the west and Oldwick village on the south one approaches the hamlet from Oldwick on a meandering country road running along the Rockaway Creek. This stream is noted for its fine trout fishing.

Arriving in the heart of Mountainville the quaint establishment Gourmet Expressions sits at the head of Rockaway Road. This charming country restaurant in the center of the sleepy village provides a welcome respite from more suburban haunts. It is owned by a Chef/Manager husband and wife team who provide an array of delicious appetizers, main courses and desserts not to be missed. Open 6 days a week it provides an area in which to read the paper over morning coffee as well as a quiet place to lunch. The dinner hour brings another dimension to the table (pardon the pun) with elegantly presented meals. I am looking forward to sampling their Sunday Brunch.

The atmosphere is friendly and country casual. The food is eclectic American cuisine with frequent menu changes. Shopping for the freshest food is a daily occurrence. The Chef is noted for his creamy risottos and I can vouch for the French onion soup. He is a graduate of the New York Restaurant School in Manhattan and his wife who oversees the day to day details is a graduate of Johnson and Wales. Chances are, when you call for a reservation, which is recommended, it is Jennifer who will book your table. Feel free to bring along your favorite bottle of wine.

One lovely special feature of the cafe is the baker who comes in and prepares her delectable desserts while customers look on. It gives a very homey feel with delicious scents wafting through the air. The wonderful baker has been associated with this couple when they ran a successful restaurant in Middlesex County.

Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11 am to 9 pm. and Sundays from 9 am till 3 pm. Breakfast is served all day, any day till closing time. Gourmet Expressions also caters and will host your catered parties on or off premises. The restaurant holds 40 guests. One can drive and park on premises or for those lucky to live nearby, the site provides a nice walk to and from. Locals have been doing so for years.

My next subjects will be a Somerset County Library that offers a wide variety of lectures, movies and concerts and the Morris County Museum with a myriad of activities for all ages including an interactive musical exhibit.

Posted by:Catherine Weinstock

On the northern edge of Hunterdon county, lies the Township of Tewksbury, comprised of several villages surrounded by a rural landscape of farms and wooded hillsides. Nestled in the heart of Tewksbury is the village of Mountainville, so named because it is located in a valley at the confluence of four mountain streams.

In the early 1800’s the village was established with a sawmill, a general store, school, post office and distillery. The latter part of the century saw the growth of the community and hunting became a popular pastime. However, as commercial activity declined, with the development of railroads and highways, Mountainville became a small summer resort. Families purchased some of the old homes and discreetly renovated them, or built new homes on large pieces of property, hence the village maintains its Currier & Ives atmosphere. Social activity now centers around the old general store, now called Gourmet Expressions, which has become a popular local eatery and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner six nights of the week. Weekends see bicyclists and walkers enjoying the quaint ambiance and quiet country roads, bordered by meandering streams.

One of the earliest homesteads in Mountainville is believed to have been the home of Jenny Alpaugh, a local family. Belle Glade is thought to have been originally built in 1803, with several later additions, and over the past few years the property has been lovingly and tastefully restored and renovated. With its rocking chair front porch overlooking the babbling stream on Guinea Hollow Road , this charming antique home is currently one of the best values in Tewksbury . Recognizing the decline in real estate values over the past two years since they first purchased the property, the current owners have priced it at 20% under their purchase price. To view listings in the Tewksbury area, please click here.

Posted by: Valerie Fraser